Summary
In 1996, the partial skeletal remains of multiple unidentified individuals were discovered at Fox Hollow Farm in Westfield, Indiana, north of Indianapolis. Fox Hollow Farm is an 18 acre farm and the former home of alleged serial killer Herb Baumeister. Investigators recovered thousands of burnt and crushed skeletal remains belonging to as many as twelve different people at the residence. It is believed that the remains belonged to men who were killed by Baumeister. No identifying information was available for the men and their identities have remained a mystery for decades.
With a need to identify these victims, Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison launched a renewed investigation in hopes of identifying the remains recovered at Fox Hollow Farm. To do so, the Hamilton County Coroner's Office collaborated with the University of Indiana at Indianapolis to submit forensic evidence to Othram for advanced DNA testing.
In 2023, Othram received forensic evidence belonging to one of the victims. Othram scientists developed a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown man using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®. After successfully completing the process, the DNA profile was delivered to the FBI's forensic genetic genealogy team and the FBI team performed the necessary genealogical research to generate new investigative leads in the case.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation led investigators to potential relatives of the man, who is now known to be Jeffrey A. Jones of Fillmore, Indiana. Jones was reported missing in August 1993. Jones’ remains are the third to be identified from Coroner Jellison’s renewed investigation into the remains recovered at Fox Hollow Farm. According to Jellison, investigators have four additional DNA profiles that have not yet been identified, bringing the total number of victims to twelve.
The identification of Jeffrey A. Jones represents the seventh case in the State of Indiana where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Most recently in Marion County, Randy Carl Lee, whose body was found in a wooded area behind an Indianapolis neighborhood, was identified in 2023.
Michael Vogen
Director of Case Management
Michael works with law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and Canada on “unsolvable“ cases that can benefit from advanced DNA testing methods. He helps these agencies use cutting edge DNA sequencing and new forensic techniques to develop investigative leads for their cases.